Mental health under scrutiny: Spain lags Europe in psychologists, pay or wait
With six clinical psychologists per 100,000 people, against nearly 18 in Europe, regular therapy in Spain is out of reach for many; the alternative is costly private care.
Spain is grappling with a significant mental health crisis, with the country lagging far behind European averages in the number of clinical psychologists per capita. This shortage leads to long waiting lists, infrequent appointments, and challenges in providing effective psychological treatment. Autumn brings an increased demand for mental health support, as people cope with seasonal changes, shorter daylight hours, and returning to routines.
However, the underlying issue is a structural demand for psychological help that remains high throughout the year.
Psychiatrist Kazuhiro Tajima, founder of APIR, highlights that increased conversations about mental health have helped break the taboo around the topic. Yet, the concept of mental health has evolved, and people now seek professional help to address everyday life problems, such as bereavement, break-ups, work difficulties, and family conflicts. Tajima stresses that these situations warrant professional assistance, even if they do not strictly fall under the category of mental illness.
The contradiction lies in society's push for people to seek help when needed, yet the public mental health system has not kept pace with this growing demand. The system was initially designed to diagnose and treat mental illness, not to handle the ongoing support required for emotional distress. This mismatch leads to saturation of the public system, with patients facing long waits between appointments.
Clinical psychologist Fran Gullón emphasizes that continuity is crucial for psychotherapy to be effective. However, the shortage of professionals results in patients experiencing long intervals between sessions, sometimes waiting weeks or months. This lack of consistent care is particularly concerning for those who could benefit from early intervention to prevent their problems from worsening.
For those who can afford it, private consultations offer a way to bypass waiting lists, while the poor cannot access this option. Consequently, income becomes a determinant of when and how often people receive psychological care.
Written by urgent.news from Euronews's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
